New Details in the Hunt for the Geezer Bandit
Written by
KEYT Anchor
Story Created:
Dec 5, 2011 at 6:35 PM PDT
Story Updated:
Dec 14, 2011 at 6:10 PM PDT
San Luis Obispo - The so-called 'Geezer Bandit' is at it again.
"We believe this is the 16th bank robbery," says Laura Eimiller from the Los Angeles Field Office of the F.B.I.
But this time the suspect may have slipped up and given authorities the break they need to crack this case wide open.
The latest heist took place at a Bank of America in downtown San Luis Obispo just before 6 p.m. Friday night. The suspect, described as a man in his 60's or 70's gave the teller a note and brandished a gun. The teller handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, however was able to slip a red dye pack into the bag of money. It exploded as the bandit was leaving the bank. The suspect dropped a large amount of the cash as well as a little black notebook. It is currently being reviewed by investigators to see if it can be the clue needed to turn this case around.
"The lead could be huge. I'm not certain what's inside that book at this time but we're really hoping it will give us clues into the identity of this person," says Captain Chris Staley of the San Luis Obispo Police Department.
San Luis Obispo Police also say that a witness believes they saw the suspect drive away in a white BMW, possibly a 5 series.
So who is the "Geezer Bandit" anyway? Is he really an old man or just someone in a mask?
"I could be someone of any age really. It could be a young person, it could be an older person, it could even be a female," says Eimiller.
New details from the most recent robbery may help determine whether or not this bandit really is an old man.
"The teller did describe him as wearing some type of mask. I'm not really clear exactly what that was but we do believe that it was obviously to hide his identity and age. So it's very possible that he could be much younger than his appearance from the surveillance videos," says Captain Staley.
The F.B.I has been tracking the 'Geezer Bandit' since August 2009 and since then the suspect has robbed banks all across Southern California. Most of the robberies have taken place in San Diego County, but the 'Geezer' has also struck once at a Bank of America in Goleta in January and now twice in San Luis Obispo County.
"The large concern here is that this individual is pointing a revolver at tellers and we're very concerned that the violence will escalate and somebody's going to get hurt," says Laura Eimiller.
The suspect has even attracted a sort of cult following. Dozens of websites and Facebook pages have popped up, all dedicated to this one old man on a robbing spree.
"The publicity does not hurt, but in no way should this situation be taken lightly," says Eimiller.
The total amount of money the suspect has stolen has not been released, but he is considered armed and dangerous. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leader to the arrest and conviction of the 'Geezer Bandit'.
KEY News Reporter Scott Hurst has the story.
